LANCASTER, S.C. - John Edwards is fighting for attention in his native state of South Carolina as presidential rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama soak up the spotlight.

Bill Moore, political science professor at the College of Charleston, told USA Today that the South Carolina Democratic primary could be Edwards' last stand. "He's got to do well in his home state," Moore said.

In 2004, 37 percent of black voters chose Edwards in the South Carolina primary. This year, polls indicate the black vote will be largely split between Obama and Clinton, the newspaper said.

Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, has said his appeal to rural Southern voters makes him the Democrat most likely to win in November. "You better vote for and nominate someone who can win in November," he said at the debate this week.